Plate for heat exchanger and heat exchanger

ABSTRACT

A plate ( 1 ) for a heat exchanger for heat exchange between a first and a second medium is configured with inlet and outlet portholes ( 2   a  and  2   b ) for the first medium and inlet and outlet portholes ( 3   a  and  3   b ) for the second medium and with a first heat transferring surface (A) for the first medium and a second heat transferring surface (B) for the second medium. The first heat transferring surface (A) is configured with at least one barrier ( 5 ) which forms part of a guide for the flow of the first medium when said first medium passes between the portholes ( 2   a,    2   b ) therefor, and the plate ( 1 ) is configured with the portholes ( 2   a,    2   b  and  3   a,    3   b ) for the first and second medium respectively, and with the barrier located so relative to each other on the first heat transferring surface that they permit formation of a U-shaped or sinusoidal through-flow duct for the first medium which will permit passage of the flow thereof around the inlet porthole ( 3   a ) or both portholes ( 3   a,    3   b ) for the second medium during passage of said first medium between the portholes therefor. A heat exchanger comprises a stack of the above-mentioned plates. An air cooler comprises the above-mentioned heat exchanger.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application corresponds to PCT/SE2013/051202, filed Oct. 14, 2013,the subject matter, of which is incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a plate for a heat exchanger for heatexchange between a first and a second medium. The plate is configuredwith inlet and outlet portholes for the first medium and inlet andoutlet portholes for the second medium. The plate is further configuredwith a first heat transferring surface for the first medium and anopposing second heat transferring surface for the second medium.

The present invention also relates to a heat exchanger for heat exchangebetween a first and a second medium. The heat exchanger comprises astack of the above-mentioned plates.

Finally, the present invention relates to an air cooler, comprising theabove-mentioned heat exchanger which in turn comprises a stack of theabove-mentioned plates.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Heat exchangers are used in many different areas, e.g. in the foodprocessing industry, in buildings for use in heating and coolingsystems, in gas turbines, boilers and many more. Attempts to improve theheat exchanging capacity of a heat exchanger is always interesting andeven small improvements are highly appreciated.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a plate for a heatexchanger and a heat exchanger for improved guidance of the media forheat exchange in order to thereby improve cooling of one of said mediaand thus, the heat exchanging capacity.

The above and further objects are achieved by means of a plate whereinthe first heat transferring surface of the plate is configured with atleast one barrier which forms part of a guide for the flow of the firstmedium when said first medium passes between the inlet and outletportholes therefor, and wherein the plate is configured with the inletand outlet portholes for the first and second medium respectively, andwith the barrier forming part of a guide for the flow of the firstmedium located so relative to each other on the first heat transferringsurface of the plate that they permit formation of a substantiallyU-shaped or sinusoidal through-flow duct for the first medium which willpermit passage of the flow of said first medium around said inletporthole or said inlet and outlet portholes for the second medium duringpassage of said first medium between said inlet and outlet portholestherefor.

Thus, on condition that the first medium is the cooling medium and thesecond medium is the medium to be cooled, the plate is configured toenable the first medium to improve cooling of and heat exchange with thesecond medium directly at the inlet porthole for said second medium. Bymeans of the at least one barrier forming a guide for the flow of thefirst medium, the plate is further configured to enable the first mediumto be in prolonged contact with the second medium for cooling thereof.Finally, the plate may be configured to enable the first medium to coolthe second medium also at the outlet porthole for said second medium. Byconfiguring the plate such that the portholes for the second medium arelocated in the middle of the flow of the first medium that can becontrolled by the location of the at least one barrier forming part of aguide for said first medium, optimum cooling of the second medium forreducing thermal tensions in the plate is achieved. It will then bepossible to use the plate in heat exchangers for hot gases.

By configuring the plate with dimples around the inlet and outletportholes for the second medium on the first heat transferring surfaceof the plate located at a larger distance from each other on those partsof the circumferences of the portholes which face each other, and whichface away from the inlet and outlet portholes for the first medium, thanon those parts of the circumference of said portholes which face awayfrom each other, the first medium will, particularly in a heat exchangerof counter-flow type, be able to further improve cooling of the secondmedium at the portholes for the second medium. This is achieved becausethe flow of the first medium thanks to the dimples will experience agreater resistance at those parts of the circumference of the outletporthole for the second medium which are facing the inlet porthole forthe first medium, and a larger part of the first medium than otherwisewill thereby be forced to flow further around said porthole for thesecond medium for cooling thereof and for cooling the second mediumflowing through said porthole. At the inlet porthole for the secondmedium, the flow of the first medium will experience a less resistanceand a larger part thereof than otherwise will therefore reach thecircumference of said inlet porthole for the second medium much quickerfor cooling thereof and for cooling the second medium flowing throughsaid porthole before said first medium reaches its outlet porthole.

Optimum guiding of the second medium for cooling thereof will also bethe result of that the plate is configured with dimples around the inletand outlet portholes for the second medium on the second heattransferring surface of the plate located at a larger distance from eachother on those parts of the circumferences of the portholes which faceaway from each other, and which at least partly face the inlet andoutlet portholes for the first medium, than on those parts of saidcircumferences which face each other. The flow of the second medium willthanks to the dimples experience a greater resistance at those parts ofthe circumferences of the portholes which are facing each other, therebyforcing a larger part of the flow of the second medium from the inletporthole therefor to initially flow in a direction away from the outletporthole therefor and spread over the second heat transferring surfacefor exposure to the first medium for cooling.

Optimum guiding of the second medium for cooling thereof is alsoachieved by configuring the second heat transferring surface of theplate with at least one elevated portion which forms a part of arestriction for the flow of the second medium during passage thereofbetween the inlet and outlet portholes therefor. By locating theelevated portion in a central part of the second heat transferringsurface of the plate to enable restriction and deflection of at least apart of the flow of the second medium when said flow of the secondmedium reaches said elevated portion during passage thereof between theinlet and outlet portholes therefor, a substantial part of the flow ofthe second medium can be brought to flow to the sides of the second heattransferring surface and thereby prolong the flow distance and thus, thetime it takes for the second medium to flow along the second heattransferring surface between the inlet and outlet portholes therefor.

The above and other objects are achieved also by means of a heatexchanger wherein the plates are stacked such that the first heattransferring surfaces for the first medium of two adjacent plates faceeach other and the second heat transferring surfaces for the secondmedium of two adjacent plates face each other, thereby defining, bymeans of the at least one barrier on the first heat transferringsurfaces of two adjacent plates, a substantially U-shaped or sinusoidalthrough-flow duct for the first medium between said first heattransferring surfaces therefor as well as a through-flow duct for thesecond medium between the second heat transferring surfaces therefor,and such that a peripheral flange on one of two adjacent plates, thefirst or second heat transferring surfaces of which face each other,surrounds the through-flow duct defined between said heat transferringsurfaces.

As defined, a heat exchanger is provided, the heat-exchanging capacityof which is improved by optimum guiding of the first and second mediafor optimum cooling of the second medium.

As defined, the heat exchanger may be used to provide e.g. an improvedair cooler, i.e. one medium is air and the other a liquid.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be further described below with reference tothe accompanying drawings, in which

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a first embodiment of a plate according to thepresent invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the first embodiment of the plateaccording to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the first embodiment of the plateaccording to the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view from the opposite side of the firstembodiment of the plate according to the present invention;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of a part of the plate accordingto FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of a second embodiment of the plate according tothe present invention;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the second embodiment of the plateaccording to the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view from the opposite side of the secondembodiment of the plate according to the present invention;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged perspective view of a part of the plate accordingto FIG. 6;

FIGS. 9a and 9b are a very schematic plan view similar to FIG. 5 of thesecond embodiment of the plate according to the present invention, butwith most of the dimples removed for illustrative purposes, and alongitudinal sectional view centrally through the plate as illustratedin FIG. 9a respectively;

FIGS. 10a-10c are schematic sectional views similar to FIG. 9b andillustrate parts of two or three plates according to the presentinvention when put together;

FIG. 11 is a plan view of another embodiment of the plate according tothe present invention;

FIG. 12 is a plan view of another embodiment of the plate according tothe present invention; and

FIG. 13 is a plan view of another embodiment of the plate according tothe present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

As already stated, the present invention relates to a plate for a heatexchanger for heat exchange between a first and a second medium. Theplate 1 may have any desired shape for its intended purpose. It may berectangular with two opposing long sides 1 a and 1 b and two opposingshort sides 1 c and 1 d as illustrated in the drawings. The plate 1 mayalternatively have a square shape, with four equally long sides, or anyother suitable quadrilateral, triangular, multi-sided, round, rhombic,elliptic or other shape for the intended application and use. Aplurality of plates 1 may be assembled to form a stack which is thenused in a heat exchanger according to the present invention.

The first and second medium referred to for heat exchange may be thesame, e.g. gas/gas (such as air) or liquid/liquid (such as water). Thefirst and second medium referred to may also be two different media,e.g. gas/liquid or two different gases or liquids.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1-8 and 9 a, the plate 1 according to thepresent invention is configured with at least one inlet porthole 2 a andat least one outlet porthole 2 b for the first medium and at least oneinlet porthole 3 a and at least one outlet porthole 3 b for the secondmedium. The inlet and outlet portholes 2 a, 2 b, 3 a, 3 b for the firstand second media are as illustrated in FIGS. 1-8 and 9 a round, but mayof course have any other suitable shape for the intended application anduse. The diameters of the inlet and outlet portholes 3 a, 3 b for thesecond medium are the same and much larger than the substantiallyidentical diameters of the inlet and outlet portholes 2 a, 2 b for thefirst medium. As illustrated in FIGS. 1-8 and 9 a, according to whichthe plate 1 is rectangular, the inlet and outlet portholes 2 a, 2 b forthe first medium are located at opposite ends of the plate, e.g. at thetwo opposing short sides 1 c, 1 d of the plate. The inlet and outletportholes 3 a, 3 b for the second medium are also located at theopposite ends of the plate 1, adjacent or close to the inlet and outletportholes 2 a, 2 b for the first medium. Accordingly, when the first andsecond media flows between their respective inlet and outlet portholes,their flow direction will, generally seen, be in the longitudinaldirection of the plate 1, thereby increasing the dwell time of the mediain their respective through-flow ducts X and Y, defined between a stackof plates in a heat exchanger and thus, improving the heat exchangingcapacity of the heat exchanger. If the heat exchanger comprising anumber of such plates 1 is of a counterflow type, the inlet porthole 3 afor the second medium is then located close to the outlet porthole 2 bfor the first medium and the outlet porthole 3 b for the second mediumclose to the inlet porthole 2 a for the first medium. If on the otherhand the heat exchanger is of a parallel-flow type, then the inletporthole 3 a for the second medium is located close to the inletporthole 2 a for the first medium and the outlet porthole 3 b for thesecond medium close to the outlet porthole 2 b for the first medium. Theplate 1 according to FIGS. 1-8 is configured for use in a heat exchangerof counter-flow type.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, 4 and 7, the plate 1 according to thepresent invention also has a first heat transferring surface A for thefirst medium and, as illustrated in FIGS. 3, 5, 6, 8 and 9 a, anopposing second heat transferring surface B for the second medium on theopposite side of the plate. The inlet and outlet portholes 2 a, 2 b forthe first medium are on the second heat transferring surface Bconfigured with a peripheral edge 2 aa and 2 ba respectively, and theinlet and outlet portholes 3 a, 3 b for the second medium are on thefirst heat transferring surface A configured with a peripheral edge 3 aaand 3 ba respectively. When plates 1 are stacked, they are stacked suchthat the first heat transferring surfaces A for the first medium of twoadjacent plates face each other (see FIGS. 10a and 10c ). Then, theperipheral edges 3 aa, 3 ba of the inlet and outlet portholes 3 a, 3 bfor the second medium will engage each other and prevent said secondmedium from penetrating into the through-flow duct X defined between thetwo first heat transferring surfaces A for the first medium which faceeach other. Correspondingly, when plates 1 are stacked, they are stackedsuch that the second heat transferring surfaces B for the second mediumof two adjacent plates face each other (see FIGS. 10b and 10c ). Then,the peripheral edges 2 aa, 2 ba of the inlet and outlet portholes 2 a, 2b for the first medium will engage each other and prevent said firstmedium from penetrating into the through-flow duct Y defined between thetwo second heat transferring surfaces B for the second medium which faceeach other.

The plate 1 according to the present invention may be configured with aperipheral flange 4 which protrudes from the plate such that itsurrounds either or both of the first heat transferring surface A forthe first medium and the second heat transferring surface B for thesecond medium. At the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-4, the flange 4protrudes from the plate 1 such that it surrounds the second heattransferring surface B for the second medium and at the embodiment ofFIGS. 5-8 and 9 a, the flange 4 protrudes from the plate such that itsurrounds the first heat transferring surface A for the first medium. Inall other aspects, the embodiment of the plate 1 illustrated in FIGS.5-8 and 9 a is identical with the embodiment of the plate 1 illustratedin FIGS. 1-4.

The first heat transferring surface A of the plate 1 according to thepresent invention is also configured with at least one barrier 5 whichforms a part of a guide for the flow of the first medium when said firstmedium passes between the inlet and outlet portholes 2 a, 2 b therefor,i.e. a guide located in the through-flow duct X for the first medium.Each barrier 5 may on the opposite second heat transferring surface B ofthe plate 1 define a corresponding recess 5 a.

According to the present invention, the plate 1 is configured with theinlet and outlet portholes 2 a, 2 b and 3 a, 3 b for the first andsecond medium respectively, and with the barrier 5 forming part of aguide for the flow of said first medium located relative to each othersuch that they permit, if a plurality of plates should be assembled toform a stack thereof, formation of a substantially U-shaped orsinusoidal through-flow duct X for the first medium which will permitpassage of the flow of said first medium around said inlet porthole 3 aor around said inlet and outlet portholes 3 a, 3 b for said secondmedium during passage of said first medium between the inlet and outletportholes 2 a, 2 b therefor. Accordingly, the plate 1 is configured withthe barrier 5 forming part of a guide for the flow of the first mediumlocated between the inlet and outlet portholes 2 a, 2 b and 3 a, 3 b forthe first and second medium respectively, i.e. between the opposite endsof the plate where said portholes are located, with one porthole 2 a, 3b for the respective medium on one side of the barrier and the otherporthole 2 b, 3 a for the respective medium on the other side of thebarrier.

As stated above, the plate 1 is thereby configured to enable the firstmedium, the cooling medium, to improve cooling of and heat exchange withthe second medium, the medium to be cooled, directly at the inletporthole 3 a for said second medium, and by means of the at least onebarrier 5 forming a guide for the flow of the first medium, the plate isfurther configured to enable the first medium to be in prolonged contactwith the second medium for cooling thereof. Finally, the configurationof the plate may enable the first medium to cool the second medium alsoat the outlet porthole 3 b for said second medium. By configuring theplate 1 such that the inlet porthole 3 a or both portholes 3 a, 3 b forthe second medium are located in the middle of the flow of the firstmedium that can be controlled by the location of the at least onebarrier 5 forming part of a guide for said first medium, optimum coolingof the second medium is achieved, rendering it possible to use the platein heat exchangers for hot gases.

The plate 1 may be configured in many different ways in order to obtainthe above-mentioned location of the inlet and outlet portholes 2 a, 2 band 3 a, 3 b for the first and second medium respectively, and of thebarrier 5, relative to each other to permit formation of a through-flowduct X for the first medium as defined and for guiding the flow of thefirst medium past the inlet porthole 3 a or the inlet and outletportholes 3 a, 3 b for the second medium as defined.

At the embodiments of the plate according to FIGS. 1-8 and 9 a, with arectangular plate 1 with two opposing long sides 1 a, 1 b and twoopposing short sides 1 c, 1 d, the plate is configured with the inletporthole 2 a for the first medium located in or close to a cornerbetween one of the two long sides 1 a or 1 b, here the long side 1 a,and one of the two short sides 1 c or 1 d, here the short side 1 c. Theoutlet porthole 2 b for the first medium is located in or close to acorner between the same long side 1 a and the other of said two shortsides 1 d or 1 c, i.e. the short side 1 d. The inlet porthole 3 a forthe second medium is located between the two long sides 1 a, 1 b, e.g.substantially centrally between the two long sides 1 a, 1 b asillustrated, and close to one of the two short sides 1 c or 1 d, herethe short side 1 d since the plate 1 is considered to be used in a heatexchanger of the crossflow/counter-flow type, and the outlet porthole 3b for the second medium is located between said two long sides, e.g.substantially centrally between said two long sides, and close to theother of said two short sides 1 d or 1 c, i.e. the short side 1 c.Alternatively, in some embodiments where the plate 1 has a less width,the inlet and outlet portholes 3 a, 3 b for the second medium may belocated closer to the long side opposing the long side closest to theinlet and outlet portholes 2 a, 2 b for the first medium, here the longside 1 b, and thus, possibly in or close to the corner between said longside and the respective short side opposing the corner in or at whichthe inlet and outlet portholes respectively, for the first medium arelocated. The plate 1 is further configured with three barriers 5 whichare provided on the first heat transferring surface A of the plate. Thenumber of barriers however, may be any other uneven number, e.g. one,five, seven, nine etc. The two barriers 5 closest to the inlet andoutlet portholes 2 a, 2 b for the first medium respectively, areconfigured to extend from the long side 1 a closest to said portholesand towards the opposing long side 1 b and the third barrier betweensaid two barriers extends from said opposing long side 1 b towards saidlong side 1 a to form part of three guides for guiding the flow of saidfirst medium along a substantially sinusoidal through-flow duct X. Withonly one barrier 5 provided on the first heat transferring surface A ofthe plate 1, said barrier will extend from the long side 1 a closest tosaid portholes 2 a, 2 b and towards the opposing long side 1 b to permitformation of a guide for guiding the first medium along a substantiallyU-shaped through-flow duct X. With five, seven, nine or any other unevennumber of barriers 5, the barriers between the two barriers which arelocated closest to the inlet and outlet portholes 2 a, 2 b for the firstmedium are configured to extend alternately from one of the two longsides 1 a or 1 b and towards the opposing long side 1 b or 1 a andthereby permit formation of additional guides for guiding the firstmedium along a substantially sinusoidal through-flow duct X. Ifalternatively, the plate 1 described above is configured with an evennumber of barriers 5, then the barriers should be located such that atleast the inlet porthole for the second medium and the second mediumentering therethrough is cooled by the first medium.

In an alternative embodiment, the plate 1 is configured with the inletporthole 2 a for the first medium still located in or close to a cornerbetween one of the two long sides 1 a or 1 b, e.g. the long side 1 a,and one of the two short sides 1 c or 1 d, e.g. the short side 1 c. Theoutlet porthole 2 b for the first medium however, is located in or closeto a corner between the other of said two long sides 1 b or 1 a, i.e.the long side 1 b, and the other of said two short sides 1 d or 1 c,i.e. the short side 1 d. This is schematically illustrated in FIGS. 1and 5 with broken lines. The inlet porthole 3 a for the second mediumis, as in FIGS. 1-8 and 9 a, located between the two long sides 1 a, 1b, e.g. substantially centrally between the two long sides 1 a, 1 b, andclose to one of the two short sides 1 c or 1 d, e.g. the short side 1 dsince here again the plate 1 is considered to be used in a heatexchanger of the cross-flow/counter-flow type, and the outlet porthole 3b for the second medium is located between said two long sides, e.g.substantially centrally between said two long sides, and close to theother of said two short sides 1 d or 1 c, i.e. the short side 1 c. Heretoo, as described above, the inlet and outlet portholes 3 a, 3 b for thesecond medium may be located closer to the long side opposing the longside closest to the inlet and outlet portholes 2 a, 2 b for the firstmedium and thus, possibly in or close to the corner between said longside and the respective short side opposing the corner in or at whichthe inlet and outlet portholes respectively, for the first medium arelocated. Contrary to the embodiments of FIGS. 1-8 and 9 a, the plate 1is here, because of the location of the outlet porthole 2 b for thefirst medium, configured with an even number of barriers 5 on the firstheat transferring surface A of the plate, i.e. two, four, six eight ormore barriers. The two barriers 5 closest to the inlet and outletportholes 2 a, 2 b for the first medium respectively, are configured toextend from the long side 1 a or 1 b closest to the respective porthole2 a or 2 b and towards the opposing long side 1 b or 1 a to form part oftwo guides for guiding the flow of said first medium along asubstantially sinusoidal through-flow duct X. With four, six, eight orany other even number of barriers 5, the barriers between the twobarriers which are located closest to the inlet and outlet portholes 2a, 2 b for the first medium are configured to extend alternately fromone of the two long sides 1 a or 1 b and towards the opposing long side1 b or 1 a and thereby permit formation of additional guides for guidingthe first medium along a substantially sinusoidal through-flow duct X.If alternatively, the above-mentioned plate 1 is configured with anuneven number of barriers 5, as in FIGS. 1-8 and 9 a, then the barriersshould be located such that at least the inlet porthole for the secondmedium and the second medium entering therethrough is cooled by thefirst medium.

Thus, by configuring the plate 1 with any number of additional barriers5, the through-flow duct X for the first medium which will be defined bythe guides which are formed by the barriers when the first heattransferring surfaces A for the first medium of two adjacent plates arebrought together, facing each other, will be extended to prolong thetime for heat exchange between the first and second media for improvingthe heat exchanging capacity.

Each barrier 5 between the barriers closest to the inlet and outletportholes 2 a, 2 b for the first medium is/are preferably configuredseparated a small distance 6 from the respective long side 1 a or 1 bfrom which it extends. This is done in order to permit leakage of a partof the flow of the first medium through said distance or, rather,through the space defined by two of said distances which face each otherwhen the first heat transferring surfaces A for the first medium of twoadjacent plates are brought together. By means of this configuration ofthe plate 1, it is possible to deflect a small amount of the firstmedium to increase the flow thereof along parts of the long sides 1 a, 1b of the plate.

Although the angle may vary, each barrier 5 preferably extends from therespective long side 1 a, 1 b substantially perpendicular thereto.

Alternatively, it is of course also possible to configure the plate 1with the inlet and outlet portholes 2 a, 2 b, 3 a, 3 b for the first andsecond media arranged such that the barrier or barriers 5 extend fromone or both short sides 1 c, 1 d of the plate in order to form parts ofone or more guides by means of which formation of a substantiallyU-shaped or sinusoidal through-flow duct X for the first medium ispossible and such that flow of said first medium around said inletporthole 3 a or said inlet and outlet portholes 3 a, 3 b for said secondmedium is permitted during passage of said first medium between theinlet and outlet portholes 2 a, 2 b therefor.

In order to save space for heat exchange between the first and secondmedia, each barrier 5 is at the illustrated embodiments of the plate 1elongated, having a length which is many times larger than the width. Atthe illustrated embodiments of the plate 1, each barrier 5 also has thesame height h1, i.e. a height which is also corresponding to orsubstantially corresponding to the height of the peripheral edges 3 aa,3 ba of the inlet and outlet portholes 3 a, 3 b for the second medium onthe first heat transferring surface A. However, the height of thebarriers 5 of different plates 1 may vary, as may the height of saidperipheral edges 3 aa, 3 ba on different plates.

Irrespective of whether the inlet and outlet portholes 3 a, 3 b for thesecond medium are located substantially centrally between the two longsides 1 a, 1 b of the plate 1 or closer to the long side opposing thelong side closest to the inlet and outlet porthole respectively, for thefirst medium, it is preferred if said inlet and outlet portholes for thesecond medium are also located substantially centrally between the shortside 1 c, 1 d closest thereto and the barrier 5 closest thereto, as inthe illustrated embodiments. A uniform flow of the first medium aroundthe portholes 3 a, 3 b for the second medium is thereby achieved.

At the illustrated embodiments of the plate according to the presentinvention, the second heat transferring surface B of the plate 1 isconfigured with at least one elevated portion 7 forming part of arestriction for the flow of the second medium during passage thereofbetween the inlet and outlet portholes 3 a, 3 b therefor. The elevatedportion 7 is accordingly located between the inlet and outlet portholes3 a, 3 b for the second medium. Thus, in the illustrated embodiments ofthe plate 1, the elevated portion 7 is located in a central part of thesecond heat transferring surface B, between depressions 5 acorresponding to the barriers 5 on the first heat transferring surfaceA, to permit restriction and deflection of at least a part of the flowof the second medium when said flow of the second medium reaches saidelevated portion during passage of said second medium between said inletand outlet portholes 3 a, 3 b therefor. If desired, there may be morethan one elevated portion 7 and each elevated portion may have anydesired extension for its intended application or use. A substantialpart of the flow of the second medium can by means of the elevatedportion 7 as illustrated, be brought to flow to the sides of the secondheat transferring surface and thereby prolong the flow distance andthus, the time it takes for the second medium to flow along the secondheat transferring surface B between the inlet and outlet portholes 3 a,3 b therefor. Each elevated portion 7 may on the opposite first heattransferring surface A of the plate 1 define a corresponding recessedportion 7 a.

The first heat transferring surface A and the opposing second heattransferring surface B of the plate 1 are both configured withpressure-resisting, turbulence-generating dimples 9, and 11, 12respectively. The dimples 9, 10, 11, 12 which may have any desired shapebased on their intended application or use also take part in definingthe height of the through-flow ducts X, Y for the first and secondmedium respectively. The dimples 9, on the first heat transferringsurface A have a height which is larger than the height of the dimples11, 12 on the opposing second heat transferring surface B, such that thevolume of the through-flow duct X for the first medium will be largerthan the volume of the through-flow duct Y for the second medium. Thedimples 9 outside the depressed portion 7 a of the first heattransferring surface A have the same or substantially the same height h1as the barrier or barriers 5 or at least those parts of the barrier orbarriers which according to the illustrated embodiments are not boundedby said depressed portion, and as the peripheral edges 3 aa, 3 ba of theinlet and outlet portholes 3 a, 3 b for the second medium on the firstheat transferring surface A of the plate 1. The dimples in the depressedportion 7 a of the first heat transferring surface A have a height h2which is larger than the height h1 of the other dimples 9 outside saiddepressed portion. The height h2 of the dimples 10 in the depressedportion 7 a of the first heat transferring surface A may also be equalor substantially equal to the height of those parts of the barrier orbarriers 5 which according to the illustrated embodiments are bounded bysaid depressed portion, and is equal or substantially equal to theheight of the dimples 9 plus the depth of said depressed portion. Thedepressed portion 7 a defines a part of the through-flow duct X for thefirst medium which has a height 2 h 2) that is larger than the height 2h 1) of said through-flow duct outside of said depressed portion. Thedimples 11 on the elevated portion 7 of the second heat transferringsurface B have a height h3 which is smaller than the height h4 of theother dimples 12 on said second heat transferring surface. The height ofthe elevated portion 7 and the height h3 of the dimples 11 on theelevated portion equals or substantially equals the height h4 of saidother dimples 12 on said second heat transferring surface B. The heighth4 of the dimples 12 outside the elevated portion 7 also equals orsubstantially equals the height of the peripheral edges 2 aa, 2 ba ofthe inlet and outlet portholes 2 a, 2 b for the first medium on thesecond heat transferring surface B of the plate 1. The elevated portion7 defines a part of the through-flow duct Y for the second medium whichhas a height (2 h 3) that is smaller than the height (2 h 4) of saidthrough-flow duct outside of said elevated portion to thereby provide arestriction for bringing a part of the flow of the second medium to flowto the sides of the second heat transferring surface B.

According to the invention, the plate 1 is configured with additionaldimples 13 around the inlet and outlet portholes 3 a, 3 b for the secondmedium on the first heat transferring surface A of the plate. Thesedimples 13 are located at a larger distance from each other on thoseparts of the circumferences of the portholes 3 a, 3 b which face eachother than those parts of said circumferences which face away from eachother. As stated above, the configuration of the plate 1 with dimples 13as defined and at the same time with the more spaced apart dimpleslocated substantially away from the inlet and outlet portholes 2 a, 2 bfor the first medium, the first medium will be able to further improvecooling of the second medium at the portholes for the second medium.This is achieved because the flow of the first medium thanks to thedimples 13 will experience a greater resistance at those parts of thecircumference of the outlet porthole 3 b for the second medium which arefacing the inlet porthole 2 a for the first medium, and a larger part ofthe first medium than otherwise will thereby be forced to flow furtheraround said porthole for the second medium before it reaches saidporthole for cooling thereof and for cooling the second medium flowingthrough said porthole. At the inlet porthole 3 a for the second medium,the flow of the first medium will experience a less resistance and alarger part thereof than otherwise will therefore reach thecircumference of said inlet porthole for the second medium much quickerfor cooling thereof and for cooling the second medium flowing throughsaid porthole before said first medium reaches its outlet porthole 2 b.The dimples 13 around the inlet and outlet portholes 3 a, 3 b for thesecond medium on the first heat transferring surface A of the plate 1may have a height which is equal or substantially equal to the height h1of e.g. the dimples 9.

The above-mentioned arrangement of the dimples 13 around the inlet andoutlet portholes 3 a, 3 b for the second medium on the first heattransferring surface A of the plate is particularly effective when theplate 1 is considered to be used in a heat exchanger of counterflowtype. In a heat exchanger of the parallel-flow type, the arrangement ofthe dimples 13 may be the same.

The plate 1 is in a corresponding manner configured with additionaldimples 14 around the inlet and outlet portholes 3 a, 3 b for the secondmedium on the second heat transferring surface B of the plate. Thesedimples 14 are located at a larger distance from each other on thoseparts of the circumferences of the portholes 3 a, 3 b which face awayfrom each other than those parts of said circumferences which face eachother. Optimum guiding of the second medium for cooling thereof willalso be the result of that the plate 1 is configured with dimples 14 asdefined and at the same time with the more spaced apart dimples locatedsuch that they at least partly face the inlet and outlet portholes 2 a,2 b for the first medium, because the second medium experiences therebya less restricted flow towards said inlet and outlet portholes for thefirst medium for cooling thereby the entire way of the flow of saidfirst medium from the inlet porthole to the outlet porthole therefor.The dimples 14 around the inlet and outlet portholes 3 a, 3 b for thesecond medium on the second heat transferring surface B of the plate 1may have a height which is equal or substantially equal to the height h4of e.g. the dimples 12.

All dimples 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14 have corresponding depressions 9 a,10 a, 11 a, 12 a, 13 a and 14 a on the opposite side of the plate 1.

Finally, each plate 1 may also be configured with at least one, in theillustrated embodiments two portholes 15 a and 15 b. These relativelysmall portholes 15 a, 15 b, which in the illustrated embodiments arelocated in the corners opposite to the inlet and outlet portholes 2 a, 2b for the first medium, on the other side of the respective inlet andoutlet portholes 3 a, 3 b for the second medium, are on the first heattransferring surface A surrounded by a peripheral edge 15 aa and 15 barespectively, for preventing the first medium from entering into saidportholes. On the other hand, the portholes 15 a, 15 b are on the secondheat transferring surface B configured such that they can communicatewith the through-flow duct Y for the second medium defined between thesecond heat transferring surfaces of two adjacent plates 1. Secondmedium which during its passage through the through-flow duct Y thereforhas been cooled by the first medium such that it has condensed anddeposited on the second heat transferring surfaces B, can thereby flowto the portholes 15 a, 15 b and exit the heat exchanger through saidportholes 15 a, 15 b by proper positioning of the heat exchanger.

As mentioned above, the present invention also relates to a heatexchanger for heat exchange between a first and a second medium. Theheat exchanger thereby comprises a stack of plates 1 of theabove-mentioned configuration. The stack of plates 1 may be located in amore or less open framework and pipe connections for the first andsecond media are also provided. The number of plates 1 in the stack mayvary and so may the size of the heat exchanger, depending on itsintended application or use.

As already indicated above, the plates 1 in the stack thereof in theheat exchanger are arranged such that the first heat transferringsurface A for the first medium (e.g. water for cooling the secondmedium) of each plate is abutting the first heat transferring surface Aof an adjacent plate in the stack (see FIGS. 10a and 10c ), therebydefining, by means of the opposing barrier or barriers 5, thesubstantially U-shaped or sinusoidal through-flow duct X for the firstmedium between said first heat transferring surfaces of said plates.Opposing dimples 9, 10 and 13, opposing peripheral edges 3 aa, 3 baaround the inlet and outlet portholes 3 a, 3 b for the second mediumand, to some extent, opposing peripheral edges 15 aa, 15 ba around theportholes 15 a, 15 b for removal of condensed second medium of coursealso contribute in defining the through-flow duct X for the firstmedium, but the shape thereof as defined is determined by the barrier orbarriers 5. Thus, in operation of the heat exchanger comprising a stackof the above-mentioned plates 1, the first medium may pass, in a heatexchanger of the counter-flow type, around two opposing outlet portholes3 b for the second medium before it can pass the guide or guides definedby the opposing barriers 5 on the heat transferring surfaces A for thefirst medium of two adjacent plates 1 and, after having passed the guideor guides, the first medium has to pass two additional opposing inletportholes 3 a for the second medium before it can leave the through-flowduct X therefor. In a heat exchanger of the parallel-flow type, thefirst medium has to pass around two opposing inlet portholes 3 a for thesecond medium before it can pass the guide or guides defined by theopposing barriers 5 on the heat transferring surfaces A for the firstmedium of two adjacent plates 1 and, after having passed the guide orguides, the first medium may pass two additional opposing outletportholes 3 b for the second medium before it leaves the through-flowduct X therefor.

Furthermore, the plates 1 are stacked such that the second heattransferring surface B for the second medium (e.g. air to be cooled bythe water) of each plate is abutting the second heat transferringsurface B of an adjacent plate in the stack, thereby defining thethrough-flow duct Y for the second medium between said second heattransferring surfaces of said plates (see FIGS. 10b and 10c ). Opposingdimples 11, 12 and 14 and opposing peripheral edges 2 aa, 2 ba aroundthe inlet and outlet portholes 2 a, 2 b for the first medium of coursecontribute in defining the through-flow duct Y for the second medium.

The second medium flows along its through-flow duct Y preferably in across flow relative to the first medium, i.e. the heat exchangeraccording to the present invention is preferably of the cross-flow type,wherein straight, parallel or substantially parallel portions of thesubstantially U-shaped or sinusoidal through-flow duct X for the firstmedium defined between the first heat transferring surfaces A of twoadjacent plates in the stack extend in a first direction D1 of theplates, in the illustrated embodiments perpendicular or substantiallyperpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the plates, and whereinthe through-flow duct Y for the second medium defined between the secondheat transferring surfaces B of two adjacent plates in the stack extendsin a second direction D2 of the plates which is perpendicular orsubstantially perpendicular to said first direction, in the illustratedembodiments in or substantially in the longitudinal direction of theplates. In FIGS. 10a-c , the through-flow duct X for the first mediumextends in a first direction D1 perpendicular to the plane defined bythe drawing paper and the through-flow duct Y for the second mediumextends in the plane defined by the drawing paper. Also, as indicatedabove, the second medium enters its through-flow duct through the inletporthole 3 a therefor and leaves the through-flow duct through itsoutlet porthole 3 b, i.e. flows in the illustrated embodiments of theplate 1 in the opposite direction relative to the flow of the firstmedium between the inlet and outlet portholes 2 a, 2 b therefor.However, the heat exchanger according to the present invention mayalternatively, which is also indicated above, be of another type thansaid cross-flow/counter-flow type, e.g. of a parallel-flow type suchthat when the second medium enters its through-flow duct through theinlet porthole 3 a therefor and leaves the through-flow duct through itsoutlet porthole 3 b, then it flows in the same direction as the flow ofthe first medium between the inlet and outlet portholes 2 a, 2 btherefor. It is nevertheless important that cooling is performed if notof both portholes 3 a, 3 b for the second medium and the second mediumflowing through said portholes, so at least of the inlet porthole forsaid second medium and of the second medium entering the heat exchangerthrough said inlet porthole.

The plates 1 are also stacked such that a peripheral flange on one oftwo adjacent plates which first or second heat transferring surfaces Aor B face each other, surrounds the through-flow duct X or Y definedbetween said heat transferring surfaces. This peripheral flange may, asindicated above, be the peripheral flange 4. The peripheral flange 4 mayprotrude from the plate 1 such that it surrounds both of the first heattransferring surface A for the first medium and the second heattransferring surface B for the second medium of said plate. Then, onlyevery second plate in the stack thereof needs to be configured with aperipheral flange. Alternatively, the peripheral flange 4 may protrudefrom every second plate 1 such that it surrounds only the second heattransferring surface B for the second medium (see FIGS. 1-4 and 10 a-c)and protrude from every second plate such that it surrounds only thefirst heat transferring surface A for the first medium (see FIGS. 5-8, 9a-b and 10 a-c). Then, each plate 1 in the stack thereof needs to beconfigured with a peripheral flange.

In order to provide a sufficiently leak-free and safe,pressure-resisting heat exchanger, the first heat transferring surfacesA for the first medium of two adjacent plates 1 in the stack areproperly assembled at the opposing barrier or barriers 5, at theopposing dimples 9, 10, 13 and at the opposing peripheral edges 3 aa, 3ba surrounding the inlet and outlet portholes 3 a, 3 b for the secondmedium and the second heat transferring surfaces B for the second mediumof two adjacent plates 1 in the stack are properly assembled at theopposing dimples 11, 12, 14 and at the opposing peripheral edges 2 aa, 2ba surrounding the inlet and outlet portholes 2 a, 2 b for the firstmedium.

For providing a sufficiently leak-free flow of the first and secondmedia through their respective through-flow duct X and Y respectively,the peripheral flanges 4 which surround the plates 1 need also beproperly assembled with adjacent plates or with other peripheralflanges.

While the present invention has been illustrated by the description ofthe preferred embodiments thereof, and while these embodiments have beendescribed in considerable detail, it is not the intention of theapplicant to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appendedclaims to such detail. Additional advantages and modifications willreadily appear to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the invention inits broader aspects is not limited to the specific details,representative apparatus, methods and illustrative examples shown anddescribed. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details withoutdeparture from the scope of applicant's general inventive concept.Further, it is to be appreciated that improvements and/or modificationsmay be made without departing from the scope of the present invention asdefined by the following claims. Thus, specifically, although the plate1 is made of stainless steel, it can also be made of any other suitablematerial. The stack of plates in the heat exchanger can be located in aframework of any suitable material. The heat exchanger can in itsintended application be located in any suitable position, i.e.horizontally or vertically or obliquely if that is required or desired.A heat exchanger as defined is suitable for use as an air cooler, sincethe second medium, the medium to be cooled, may be air.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A plate for a heat exchanger for heatexchange between a first and a second medium, wherein the plate (1) hasa rectangular shape with two opposing long sides (1 a and 1 b) and twoopposing short sides (1 c and 1 d), wherein the plate (1) is configuredwith at least one inlet porthole (2 a) and at least one outlet porthole(2 b) for the first medium and at least one inlet porthole (3 a) and atleast one outlet porthole (3 b) for the second medium, wherein the plate(1) is configured with the inlet porthole (2 a) for the first mediumlocated in or close to a corner between one of the two long sides (1 aor 1 b) and one of the two short sides (1 c or 1 d) and the outletporthole (2 b) for the first medium located in or close to a cornerbetween the same or the other long side (1 a or 1 b) and the other ofsaid two short sides (1 d or 1 c), wherein the plate (1) is configuredwith the inlet porthole (3 a) for the second medium located centrallybetween the two long sides (1 a, 1 b) and close to one of the two shortsides (1 c or 1 d) and the outlet porthole (3 b) for the second mediumlocated centrally between the two long sides (1 a, 1 b) and close to theother of said two short sides (1 d or 1 c), wherein the plate (1) has afirst heat transferring surface (A) for the first medium and an opposingsecond heat transferring surface (B) for the second medium, wherein thefirst heat transferring surface (A) of said plate (1) is configured withat least one barrier (5) forming part of a guide for the flow of thefirst medium during passage thereof between said inlet and outletportholes (2 a and 2 b) therefor; wherein the plate (1) is configuredwith the inlet and outlet portholes (2 a, 2 b and 3 a, 3 b) for thefirst and second medium respectively, and with the at least one barrier(5) forming part of a guide for the flow of said first medium on thefirst heat transferring surface (A) of the plate, the at least onebarrier forming a substantially U-shaped or sinusoidal through-flow duct(X) for the first medium which will permit passage of the flow of saidfirst medium around said inlet porthole (3 a) or said inlet and outletportholes (3 a and 3 b) for said second medium during passage of saidfirst medium between said inlet and outlet portholes (2 a, 2 b)therefor, wherein the plate (1) is configured with first adjacentdimples (13) around the inlet and outlet portholes (3 a, 3 b) for thesecond medium on the first heat transferring surface (A) of the platelocated at a larger distance from each other on those parts of thecircumferences of the portholes which face each other than on thoseparts which face away from each other, wherein the plate (1) isconfigured with second adjacent dimples (14) around the inlet and outletportholes (3 a, 3 b) for the second medium on the second heattransferring surface (B) of the plate located at a larger distance fromeach other on those parts of the circumferences of the portholes whichface away from each other than on those parts which face each other,wherein the inlet and outlet portholes for the second medium areprovided with an inner peripheral edge, wherein the plate comprises aflow-path for the first medium surrounding the inlet and outletportholes for the second medium on the first heat transferring surfaceof the plate, and wherein the flow path is bounded by on one hand theinner peripheral edge and on the other hand the first adjacent dimplesaround the inlet and outlet portholes for the second medium on the firstheat transferring surface of the plate.
 2. The plate according to claim1, wherein the plate (1) is configured with the inlet porthole (2 a) forthe first medium located in or close to a corner between one of the twolong sides (1 a or 1 b) and one of the two short sides (1 c or 1 d) andthe outlet porthole (2 b) for the first medium located in or dose to acorner between the same long side (1 a or 1 b) and the other of said twoshort sides (1 d or 1 c), wherein the plate (1) is configured with theinlet porthole (3 a) for the second medium located centrally between thetwo long sides (1 a, 1 b) and close to one of the two short sides (1 cor 1 d) and the outlet porthole (3 b) for the second medium locatedcentrally between the two long sides (1 a, 1 b) and close to the otherof said two short sides (1 d or 1 c), wherein the plate (1) isconfigured with an uneven number of barriers (5) provided on the firstheat transferring surface (A) of the plate, and wherein the barrier orbarriers (5) closest to the inlet and outlet portholes (2 a, 2 b) forthe first medium is/are configured to extend from the long side (1 a or1 b) closest to said portholes and towards the opposing long side (1 bor 1 a) to form part of one or more guides for guiding the flow of saidfirst medium along a substantially U-shaped or sinusoidal through-flowduct (X).
 3. The plate according to claim 2, wherein a barrier (5)between the two barriers which are located closest to the inlet andoutlet portholes for the first medium is configured to extend from thelong side (1 b or 1 a) opposite to the long side (1 a or 1 b) from whichthe barriers (5) closest to said inlet and outlet portholes (2 a, 2 b)for the first medium extend and towards the opposing long side (1 a or 1b) to form part of a guide for guiding the flow of said first mediumalong a substantially sinusoidal through-flow duct (X).
 4. The plateaccording to claim 3, wherein said additional barrier or barriers (5)is/are configured to permit leakage of a part of the flow of the firstmedium between said barrier or barriers and said respective long side.5. The plate according to claim 2, wherein the plate (1) is configuredwith at least two additional barriers (5) between two barriers (5) whichare located closest to the inlet and outlet portholes (2 a, 2 b) for thefirst medium, and wherein said additional barriers (5) are configured toextend alternately from one of the two long sides 1 a or 1 b) andtowards the opposing long side (1 b or 1 a) to form part of guides forguiding the flow of said first medium along a substantially sinusoidalthrough-flow duct (X).
 6. The plate according to claim 1, wherein theplate (1) is configured with the inlet porthole (2 a) for the firstmedium located in or close to a corner between one of the two long sides(1 a or 1 b) and one of the two short sides (1 c or 1 d) and the outletporthole (2 b) for the first medium located in or close to a cornerbetween the other of said two long sides (1 b or 1 a) and the other ofsaid two short sides (1 d or 1 c), wherein the plate (1) is configuredwith the inlet porthole (3 a) for the second medium located centrallybetween the two long sides (1 a, 1 b) and dose to one of the two shortsides (1 c or 1 d) and the outlet porthole (3 b) for the second mediumlocated centrally between the two long sides (1 a, 1 b) and close to theother of said two short sides (1 d or 1 c), wherein the plate (1) isconfigured with an even number of barriers (5) provided on the firstheat transferring surface (A) of the plate, and wherein the barriers (5)closest to the inlet and outlet portholes (2 a, 2 b) for the firstmedium are configured to extend from the long side (1 a or 1 b) closestto the respective porthole and towards the opposing long side (1 b or 1a) to form part of guides for guiding the flow of said first mediumalong a substantially U-shaped sinusoidal through-flow duct (X).
 7. Theplate according to claim 1, wherein each barrier (5) has a same height(h1).
 8. The plate according to claim 1, wherein the second heattransferring surface (B) of the plate (1) is configured with at leastone elevated portion (7) forming part of a restriction for the flow ofthe second medium during passage thereof between said inlet and outletportholes (3 a, 3 b) therefor.
 9. The plate according to claim 8,wherein the plate (1) is configured with the elevated portion (7)located between the inlet and outlet portholes (3 a, 3 b) for the secondmedium on the second heat transferring surface (B) of the plate topermit restriction and deflection of at least a part of the flow of thesecond medium when said flow of the second medium reaches said elevatedportion during passage of said second medium between said inlet andoutlet portholes therefor.
 10. The plate according to claim 1, whereinthe first heat transferring surface (A) and the opposing second heattransferring surface (B) of the plate (1) are both configured withdimples (9, 10 and 11, 12 respectively) which will define a height ofthe through-flow ducts (X, Y) for the first and second mediumrespectively, and wherein the dimples (9, 10) on the first heattransferring surface (A) have a height (h1, h2) which is larger than theheight (h3, h4) of the dimples (11, 12) on the opposing second heattransferring surface (B).
 11. The plate according to claim 10, whereinthe first heat transferring surface (A) of the plate (1) is configuredwith at least one depressed portion (7 a) corresponding to orsubstantially corresponding to an elevated portion (7) on the secondheat transferring surface (B) of the plate, and wherein the dimples (10)in the depressed portion (7 a) have a height (h2) which is larger than aheight (h1) of the other dimples (9) on the first heat transferringsurface (A).
 12. The plate according to claim 10, wherein the dimples(9) outside a depressed portion (7 a) of the first heat transferringsurface (A) of the plate (1) have the same or substantially the sameheight (h1) as the barrier or barriers (5).
 13. The plate according toclaim 10, wherein the dimples (11) on an elevated portion (7) of thesecond heat transferring surface (B) of the plate (1) have a height (h3)which is smaller than a height (h4) of the other dimples (12) on thesecond heat transferring surface (B).
 14. The plate according to claim1, wherein the inlet and outlet portholes (2 a, 2 b) for the firstmedium are configured with a peripheral edge (2 aa and 2 ba) on thesecond heat transferring surface of the plate, and wherein the inlet andoutlet portholes (3 a, 3 b) for the second medium are configured with aperipheral edge (3 aa and 3 ba) on the first heat transferring surfaceof the plate.
 15. The plate according to claim 14, wherein theperipheral edges (2 aa, 2 ba) of the inlet and outlet portholes (2 a, 2b) for the first medium on the second heat transferring surface (B) ofthe plate (1) have the same or substantially a same height (h2) asdimples (11) on the second heat transferring surface (B) outside anelevated portion (7) thereof, and wherein the peripheral edges (3 aa, 3ba) of the inlet and outlet portholes (3 a, 3 b) for the second mediumon the first heat transferring surface (A) of the plate (1) have thesame or substantially a same height (h1) as the barrier or barriers (5)and the dimples (9) on the first heat transferring surface (A).
 16. Theplate according to claim 1, wherein the plate (1) is configured with aperipheral flange (4) which protrudes from the plate such that itsurrounds either or both of the first heat transferring surface (A) forthe first medium and the second heat transferring surface (B) for thesecond medium.
 17. The plate according to claim 1, wherein the plate (1)is configured with at least one porthole (15 a and/or 15 b) forpermitting removal of the second medium.
 18. A heat exchanger for heatexchange between a first and a second medium, wherein the heat exchangercomprises a stack of plates (1) according to claim 1, wherein saidplates (1) are stacked such that the first heat transferring surfaces(A) for the first medium of two adjacent plates (1) face each other andthe second heat transferring surfaces (B) for the second medium of twoadjacent plates face each other, thereby defining, by means of the atleast one barrier (5) on the first heat transferring surfaces (A) of twoadjacent plates, a substantially U-shaped or sinusoidal through-flowduct (X) for the first medium between said first heat transferringsurfaces (A) therefor as well as a through-flow duct (Y) for the secondmedium between the second heat transferring surfaces (B) therefor, andsuch that a peripheral flange (4) on one of two adjacent plates (1), thefirst or second heat transferring surfaces (A or B) of which face eachother, surrounds the through flow duct (X or Y) defined between saidheat transferring surfaces.
 19. The heat exchanger according to claim18, wherein the first heat transferring surfaces (A) for the firstmedium of two adjacent plates (1) in the stack are assembled at theopposing barrier or barriers (5) and at opposing dimples (9, 10) as wellas at opposing edges (3 aa, 3 ba) surrounding the inlet and outletport-holes (3 a, 3 b) for the second medium in said first heattransferring surfaces (A).
 20. The heat exchanger according to claim 18,wherein the second heat transferring surfaces (B) for the second mediumof two adjacent plates (1) in the stack are assembled at opposingdimples (11, 12) and at opposing edges (2 aa, 2 ba) surrounding theinlet and outlet portholes (2 a, 2 b) for the first medium in saidsecond heat transferring surfaces (8).
 21. The heat exchanger accordingto claim 18, wherein straight, parallel or substantially parallelportions of the substantially U-shaped or sinusoidal through-flow ducts(X) for the first medium defined between the first heat transferringsurfaces (A) of two adjacent plates (1) in the stack extend in a firstdirection (D1) of the plates, and wherein the through-flow duct (Y) forthe second medium defined between the second heat transferring surfaces(B) of two adjacent plates (1) in the stack extends in a seconddirection (D2) of the plates which is perpendicular or substantiallyperpendicular to said first direction (D1).
 22. An air cooler comprisinga heat exchanger according claim 18, wherein the first medium is aliquid and the second medium is air.
 23. The plate according to claim 1,wherein the flow-path provides an uninterrupted flow of the first mediumaround the inlet and outlet portholes for the first medium on the firstheat transferring surface of the plate.
 24. The plate according to claim1, wherein the outer side of the flow-path is further surrounded by thesecond adjacent dimples around the inlet and outlet portholes for thesecond medium on the second heat transferring surface of the plate. 25.The plate according to claim 1, wherein the outer side of the flow-pathis bound by the first adjacent dimples around the inlet and outletportholes for the second medium on the first heat transferring surfaceof the plate and/or the dimples around the inlet and outlet portholesfor the second medium on the second heat transferring surface of theplate.
 26. The plate according to claim 1, wherein the inner peripheraledge completely surrounds the inlet and outlet portholes for the secondmedium.
 27. The plate according to claim 1, wherein the flow pathextends around the entire inlet and outlet portholes for the secondmedium and/or the inner peripheral edge.
 28. The plate according toclaim 1, wherein all the first adjacent dimples around the inletporthole for the second medium on the first heat transferring surface ofthe plate are equally spaced from the inner peripheral edge of the inletporthole for the second medium.
 29. The plate according to claim 1,wherein all the first adjacent dimples around the outlet porthole forthe second medium on the first heat transferring surface of the plateare equally spaced from the inner peripheral edge of the outlet portholefor the second medium.